Category Archives: Music

The “Real” Che

Damn, those models are fine; I’ve always dug Che Tits! Anyway, this is totally biased, which comes as no surprise, worse than the bias of the Che cheerleaders. Of course, I think the caricature of Che is a farce, but as Jay Z put it he’s “complex,” haha, far more complex than this bullshit would leave you to believe. Some things they say are true and naturally they’re horrible. But, they don’t apply the same standards to the U.S. and other figures, which are far, far worse, even if justified. I feel awful for those women, but you don’t think Nazis’ had family? or any other terrorist. That’s what war is, it’s violence on a grand scale. I also feel bad that their loss is being exploited for ratings and pathetic agendas. To compare Che to Bin Laden and the reasons why he, Fidel, and the other Cubans were fighting to America’s reasons for fighting a war is not only childish, but shows the sheer lack of concern for honest observations of foreign policy. In terms of people starving in Cuba, well that would be greatly decreased if the U.S. didn’t place sanctions on them. We easily could aid them, but Castro doesn’t want to be our little puppet bitch like other dictators, so no food for you Cuba. Lastly, the whole racist deal, ( I love how Faux News is saying this of all networks!) Beck is clearly utilizing this to appeal to people’s feelings about race and what have you. Divide and conquer! I have never seen that quote about black folks. I’m not saying it’s not true, but I’m not denying it could be either. I know for a fact that Che sympathized for blacks in the U.S. and he also met with Malcom X when he came over here; both shared great admiration for one another. So, basically follow the woman’s advice, do your own research.

Chris

Classic Review: Tour Split

Bands: Jay Reatard/Thee Oh Sees
Release: 2009
Label: Shattered Records

1. “Telephone Network Voltage” – A-
2. “Blank Blogs” – C-
3. “7484” – C+
4. “Castiatic Tackle” – C

Comments: “Telephone Network Voltage” erm…”Hiding Hole.” I’m not quite sure when “Telephone” was composed, but it seems like a “Hiding Hole” demo. The lyrics are a little different and this version is particularly distorted and lo-fi. This version also features an extended guitar solo. It’s pretty good, but I think I prefer “Hiding Hole.” “Blank Blogs” isn’t a demo or an alternative version of a Jay song, it’s merely an exhausting instrumental. C’mon, guy! Thee Oh Sees sort of pick things up where “Blank Blogs” left off with an extremely lo-fi horror inspired instrumental/spoken-word piece. There is some degree of catchiness in the mess…not much though. All right, all right, all right. This is a pretty lame split.

Grade: C+ (78)

KK+BBQ To Play Vivid LIVE

What is Vivid LIVE?
Vivid LIVE is an artist curated festival, created and produced by Sydney Opera House. The 2010 Festival is led by two of America’s most influential artists – Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. Together they have assembled a program of music, theatre and visual art which offers bold visions of contemporary American life and celebrates fearless innovation and ambition.

King Khan and BBQ Show Description:
Punk, soul, garage-rock, doo-wop, noise, country and free jazz all get thrown into their pop culture blender. What emerges is a seamless new synthesis that finds a place on the base of your spine and crawls its way up, slowly.

Lock up your daughters, your pets and your plush toys, lest they fall victim to the ravages of these bad boys of rock. Not all Canadians are nice…

Details:
3 JUN
THE STUDIO
$35*/$30*

Top Concert Experiences

Updated to include all the recent shows:

Keyword is “Experiences,” which takes slightly more into account how fun the show was than how awesome the bands were. Quality of opening bands are considered as well.

The Best
1. March 2010 – Black Lips/Box Elders/Movers+Shakers – Grade: A+
2. March 2009 – Black Lips/Gentleman Jesse & His Men/Mean Creek – Grade: A+
3. May 2009 – King Khan & The Shrines/Mark Sultan/Homosexuals – Grade: A+
4. October 2009 – KK+BBQ/Dum Dum Girls/Downbeat 5 – Grade: A+
5. April 2009 – No Age/The Beets/Lemonade – Grade: A+
6. October 2009 – Jay Reatard/Nobunny/Hunx and His Punx/Box Elders/Useless Eaters – Grade: A+
7. September 2009 – Walkmen/Here We Go Magic/The Dig – Grade: A+

Amazing
8. December 2009 – Arctic Monkeys/Screaming Females – Grade: A
9. August 2008 – Radiohead/Grizzly Bear – Grade: A
10. November 2009 – Pixies/Jay Reatard – Grade: A
11. November 2009 – Sonic Youth/The Feelies – Grade: A
12. February 2010 – Editors/Antlers/Dig – Grade: A
13. March 2010 – Spoon/Deerhunter/Strange Boys – Grade: A
14. September 2009 – The Rifles/Mike Fiore – Grade: A
15. August 2009 – Arctic Monkeys/Modey Lemon – Grade: A
16. May 2009 – Animal Collective/Grouper – Grade: A
17. September 2009 – Pains of Being Pure At Heart/Depreciation Guild/Cymbals Eat Guitars – Grade: A
18. July 2009 – Head Automatica/Cubic Zarconia – Great: A
19. July 2009 – Handsome Furs/Dri/Cinnamon Band – Grade: A
20. November 2008 – No Age/Soft Circle/Silk Flowers – Grade: A

Great
21. January 2008 – Editors/Hot Hot Heat/Louis XIV – Grade: A-
22. June 2009 – Sunset Rubdown/Elfin Saddle/Witchies – Grade: A-
23. April 2010 – Girls/Dum Dum Girls/Leisure – Grade: A-
24. July 2008 – No Age/High Places/Abe Vigoda/Ppalmm – Grade: A-
25. April 2010 – Harlem/Tulsa/Girlfriends – Grade: A-
26. October 2009 – KK+BBQ/Dum Dum Girls – Grade: A-
27. March 2010 – Beach House/Bacherlorette – Grade: A-

Very Good
28. October 2008 – Built To Spill/Dinosaur Jr/Meat Puppets – Grade: B+
29. February 2010 – The Growlers/Married Men/Forest Fire – Grade: B+
30. August 2009 – Warlocks/Morning After Girls/Vandelles – Grade: B+
31. July 2009 – Jay Reatard/TV Smith/Pretty & Nice – Grade: B+
32. September 2009 – Wavves/Ganglians/Many Mansions – Grade: B+

Good
33. March 2010 – Vivian Girls/Male Bonding/You Can Be A Wesley- Grade: B
34. January 2010 – Mission of Burma/The Konks – Grade: B
35. October 2009 – Rural Alberta Advantage/Lovely Feathers/Arletta – Grade: B
36. September 2008 – Paul Weller/Rifles – Grade: B
37. July 2009 – Trevor Hall – Grade: B
38. January 2009 – Mission of Burma/Neighborhoods/Faces on Film – Grade: B

Pretty Good
39. October 2007 – Morrissey/Kristeen Young – Grade: B-
40. March 2009 – War on Drugs/The Drones/Tsui – Grade: B-

All Right!
41. July 2007 – Psychedelic Furs/Alarm/Fixx – Grade: C+
42. August 2007 – Weird Al Yankovic – Grade: C+
43. September 2007 – Bob Dylan/Elvis Costello/Amos Lee – Grade: C+

Too Long Ago To Remember
44. July 2000 – B-52s/ – Grade: N/A

Glen Maganzini

CD Review: Latin [2010]

Band: Holy Fuck
Release: 5/2010
Label: XL

1. “MD” – C-
2. “Red Lights” – C
3. “Latin America” – B
4. “Stay Lit'” – C+
5. “Silva & Grimes” – C
6. “SHT MTN” – C+
7. “Stilettos” – B
8. “Lucky” – C-
9. “P.I.G.S” – C+

Comments:
I tend to hold any band that has some sort of blasphemy in their name more accountable than usual. No different for Holy Fuck. “MD” doesn’t help their cause as it sounds like combination of being blown from a wind tunnel and taking off into space. This album’s all over the place, but WAIT FOR IT, that’s what the kids call improvisation these days. Ah, yes. For an electronica number, “Latin America” is pretty solid, but it’s not very exciting. I guess the cool thing about this band is they recognize when to keep fun tempos up like in “Stay Lit.” So yeah, this record as a whole doesn’t do much for me!!! It’s like eating a chicken cutlet without any batter or seasoning.

Grade: C (76)

P4K…Kill Yourselves

Pitchfork is seeking an experienced advertising sales professional for its Chicago office. We are looking for someone with a deep interest in independent and emerging music, online media, publishing, and creative marketing. The ideal candidate should have experience partnering with both direct and agency clients, developing creative advertising programs, building long-term client relationships, and managing all aspect of sales– from developing target lists to closing.

How many buzz words in here go against the DIY punk ethic? I’ll get you started:
1. marketing
2. sales
3. target lists

Incredible Song of the Day

I remember Glen threw this ditty on a mix for me and after hearing it a couple of times it didn’t stand out at all. Then suddenly, it came up on my ipod shuffle and for the first time I truly listened to it. The tune hynoptized me and still does. I highly recommend anyone reading this to check out more of their material, I know I will. No wonder, they are one of J Mascis’ new favorites!

Chris

ODDSAC Comes to MA

April 19
Amherst MA, USA
Hampshire College
With special guests director Danny Perez and members of Animal Collective.
Details TBA.

April 20
Boston MA, USA
Brattle Theatre
With special guests director Danny Perez and members of Animal Collective.
$15. Get tickets: 8:30pm & 10:30pm. – http://www.artistadvocacy.com/music/news/more-animal-collective-oddsac-dates/
Sadly, I highly doubt I will be in attendence due to my school schedule and transportation and what have you lol, but I have a friend that attended a screening in New York and was blown away. Below is a brief trailer for the film.

Chris